TONIGHT on Early Work Mercantile...

Autumn!! Yippee!!!
It's my favorite time of year and my September offerings reflect it!

Here's a quick peek.

Sam is my first Halloween Firewood Folk for 2016.
So "Trick 'r Treat" if you dare!



It's just not September until I create my unusual maple leaf.
Here's Aeveen.



Owlyn the Owl is wise beyond his years.



My Hallowee-ones are back, too!!




Click on the banner below to go directly to my selling page.




They'll be lots of wonderful offerings tonight from a group of talented artists. So be sure to swing on by.

Hope to see you tonight.


Happy last day of August.

:> )

A sneak peek...

at my first Halloweenie Firewood Folk for 2016!!

But this is all you get for now...



((giggle))

You have to wait until the evening of August 31st on Early Work Mercantile!!



Ooooh, I can't wait!! I had so much fun with this one!!


:> )

When I stopped at another garage sale...

I saw potential in this odd looking wooden folk art flying bird. His wings white and his body bluish green.

But he was worth every bit of the 2 bucks I paid for him.



So I transformed my ugly duckling into a swa...



err I mean Canada Goose.

Ain't he swell?? I just love him!

Happy Saturday!

:> )

Yippee!!

This whole week is the Madison Bouckville Antique Show. It is pretty well known and is only about 15 minutes from us.

Since that area is basically "antique row" the majority who flock to the show are mostly out-of-towners. But it drums up business for everyone in our rural area which is terrific! It gives us locals an opportunity to have garage/barn/yard sales. Heck there are sales all over the county this weekend!!

Normally, my sweet hubs and I partake in the fun by having a barn sale. This year I decided not to and boy am I glad I didn't!!

As I headed into town to do my grocery shopping, a little voice said "Stop at that sale ahead."
So I parked Betsy and as I walked down the driveway I'm pretty sure I heard angels singing. ((giggle))

There she was in all her glory! A beautiful lone comb back Windsor arm chair!! Lord knows I have been searching and searching for one to use as my desk chair. But they are impossible to find, especially a single one.

Needless to say I jumped on it like a monkey on a cupcake. Actually, I ran and sat in it. There was no way I was leaving without it. Man I was hoping it wasn't sold so it would be mine and the police wouldn't need to be called. ((giggle))





After I paid the woman, I wrestled her into ol' Betsy and headed home. Ummm... Not the woman, the chair.
Forget grocery shopping now!! Who needs food when there's bargains galore!!

As I pulled up to the ol' Countryfolk homestead, the "Six Million Dollar Boston Terrier" was waiting for me.



**Cue Steve Austin's bionic eye sound effect here**

Happy Friday, all!!

:> )

Waiting...

The crown molding inside corner blocks are a hit...

If you're planning on adding crown molding to any room in your home I highly recommend these babies!!



It was so much easier!!



Leave it to little Gracie to find the one thing I didn't pick up with the vacuum before I snapped photos.



Stella could care less about anything but playing with her little pink rubber ball.



Now I can focus all my time on creating my folk art.

Happy Monday, all!

I'm counting down the days to cooler weather!!

One... Two... Three... Four...

:> )

In the homestretch...

and I must say this crown molding looks terrific!! It has just enough character to look like it's always been here.

But let me tell you, it isn't easy putting up crown molding on 1800's walling and ceiling. Holy schnikes! There are more waves and ripples than the Atlantic ocean.
Thanks to the internet, we were able to do the best job we could with what we had to work with.

Of course I picked the hottest and most humid day we've ever witnessed in our lifetime to do this job. My sweet hubs was exhausted but still did the brunt of the work.

Here's a quick peek at how it's gone so far...

First things first. Had to get some of my crap collectibles out of the way.



Then crammed it into the other room.



Next, I put the crown molding blocks in each corner. As you can see, they did not fit snugly like they should have.
A quick heads up... If you run into this problem trust me, caulk will be your best friend.



After that, I placed pieces of painters tape where studs were.
For the record, I was finding studs where I shouldn't have and I wasn't finding studs where I should have. So either my stud finder battery was low or this house was built by Dr. Seuss.



Then it was time to put up the crown molding. My sweet hubs did all the nailing. I just helped hold it in place.
Ummm. I totally wasted my time putting up those little pieces of painters tape. He didn't go by any of my blue dots. hmpf!



Lots of gaps!
Like I said, caulk will be your best friend.



His job was done. Now it was my turn to take over the reins.
I think I've mentioned I consider myself the "Queen of Caulk." I love to caulk!

Is there such a title??
If so, I definitely need a sash.
Preferably cammo.



Now all I have do do is wait for the caulk to dry and repaint it all.

Photos of the finished room tomorrow but here's a sneak peek!




Happy Sunday, all!!

:> )

The Crown Molding Inside Corners Arrived...

They aren't anything to write home about. They have some dings in them. But they aren't made in the good ol' U.S. of A. so you get what you pay for.

Bottom line is they'll be high up enough to not notice the dings and best of all it'll do the trick! So you can't beat that with a stick.



But when I opened the box, I thought "You've got to be kidding me!!! These aren't the correct size even though it stated they were the correct size for the crown molding I purchased!"
Needless to say, I was pretty ticked! Grrrr!

Then my sweet hubs came home. As I ranted about how I have to return them, he silently grabbed a new inside corner piece and a piece of crown molding and... voila! Matched them up perfectly. Man, he always does that to me. He's like my very own MacGyver minus the mullet and Swiss army knife.
...and I wasted a perfectly good rant, too.
Dang it!

When I searched around the internet, I couldn't find a lot of info on how to install them. So I plan to snap photos and share our "how to" on my blog. That should be "fun."

I'm hoping to tackle this job tomorrow. But my sweet hubs has put in many long hours at work this week. I'm not sure he'll be as enthused as I am about it.

Hmmm. Maybe I should get him a Swiss army knife...

Happy Friday, all!!

:> )

"See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you?

Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?"

That quote from the movie "Signs" has been a favorite of mine. It really makes you think, whatever your beliefs are.
It definitely rang true to us the other day.

Now a few of you may gasp at my next sentence. Ready?
We've been kicking around the idea of leaving the ol' Countryfolk homestead and moving out of the area. I know crazy, right? After all the blood, sweat and tears we put into this wonderful old farmhouse?! Yeppers, it's true.

BUT I can honestly say for now, I do not see that happening. Without going into great detail, I will say we were all set to look at another property the other day. Leading up to our appointment that day, something happened. Actually four things happened. Two unbelievable happened here at the farmhouse, the third happened to my sweet hubs at work and the fourth being the realtor having to cancel our appointment a half hour before our scheduled appointment.

So... is it possible there are no coincidences??
What do you think??

♥




All is good.

Happy Thursday, everyone!!

:> )

My 999,999 farmhouse project to tackle is...

Putting up crown molding in the living room!
Woo hoo!!



Notice the strategically placed little pink rubber ball (by you know who) in the background.

Man, you should have seen me wrestling these 12 foot pieces of crown molding into ol' Betsy! I'm sure those monitoring the parking lot security cameras at Lowes had a good belly laugh. What's great about a topless Jeep is you can go straight up and out with your contents.

If you follow my blog, many of you may remember the crown molding "adventure" we did in our kitchen. Since both of us were unsure how to install it, I left it up to my sweet hubs to figure it out. Hey, he's the egghead in this duo.
After I'd hear the buzz of the chop saw cut, I'd hear "Sh*t!!!!"
Again I'd hear the buzz of the chop saw cut and again I'd hear "Sh*t!!!"

He finally figured out the upside down sideways crazy cockamamie way to cut crown molding corners, only wasting 2 pieces. Eh, not bad.

Well, I had to break the news to him again. But this time I smartened up. They make inside corners for crown molding. No corner cuts needed!!
To whoever designed this... I LOVE YOU!!!

I still need to sand and refinish the floor. That'll be my 1,000,000 project for next month.
But for now, I need to continue to work on my Countryfolk Keepsakes Halloweenie offerings!! Ooooh I can't wait to show everyone!

Happy Tuesday, all!!

:> )

It's a done deal...

I finally decided to let go of my antique oak church pew that's been in my family for many, many years.
Yesterday I listed it on Craigslist. I received an email soon after listing it. Huh??!! What??!! Already??!! I don't think I'm ready yet!!
I broke out into a cold sweat but knew it's time to let go.

We set up a time for this morning. The sweetest young couple and their little boy arrived at the ol' Countryfolk homestead. Needless to say they loved it! My heart was filled with joy seeing this young family take an interest in old things. Now days you don't see that very often.

He loved my American flag walls. Even mentioned he'd like to paint it in their place. I in turn mentioned our feature story in Country Sampler and told him I gave the instructions on how to do it in that issue.

We then loaded the church pew on their pick up truck and off they went. They left satisfied and so was I. I did the right thing. Preserving history by passing it on to others who also share the passion.

Now here's the funny part...

My sweet hubs was beyond ecstatic! He's been begging me to thin out my collection and I have... ever so slowly.

Here he is reacting to all the room we now have in our little dining room.
He said "It echos in here now!"
He cracks me up.



Ummm. I don't think Vanna has anything to worry about. ((giggle))









After they left, I had to take Finnjamin the Amphibian's advice and smile.

I did.


Happy Sunday, all.

:> )

I've got Autumn Fever!!

It's similar to Dance Fever minus the Deney Terrio moves.

Every August I get this way. Sure summer is nice, but autumn is awesome!
I'm ready for cooler temps, sweaters, jeans, falling leaves and the wood stoves.

On my way to the grocery store today I couldn't pass up a house sale.
Found a great set of fireplace tools. Even had the huge tongs. Yippee!! If you have a fire place or wood stove you know how important these tools are!

That got me thinking about all the wood stove accessories I **cough** "need."
I'll have to break this news gently to my sweet hubs.

Now seriously... how cute is this??!!




I do have an old copper tub that would do the trick, too.



I am determined to get a me mitten rack next!




This is too pretty to use! I would just hang it up for decoration. Yet another "practical" piece to have in our home. ((giggle))




Love this! Heck, I could probably make this. All I need is a small oval rug and a seam ripper. hmmm...



Yep, a chicken ON every pot. I definitely need this room humidifier.




A beautiful antique match stick holder? Why yes, please.




These hand painted bellows are pretty and practical. But are rather small. Small bellows just don't cut it.




Which is why I need bellows like this!
(Look above his head)



Now THOSE are bellows!
Ooooh, I wouldn't need to use the snow blower ever again!



Happy Thursday, everyone!!

:> )

YaY!!!!

My sweet hubs said I shouldn't need a new desktop computer! He frogged around with it a bit and thinks he took care of the problem.

How I love that egghead o' mine!! ♥

Okay, time to get back to working on my Halloweenie creations!

:> )

The ol' desktop computer is giving me fits...

Finally got it to work today. Looks like I'm going to need to replace it. Ugh.

So after hearing that bit of news from my sweet hubs I needed a good laugh.

Found it!!!!



Yes I know Independence Day has come and gone. But this was worth it.

Betsy had a tramp stamp??!! Who knew??!!
((giggle))

~Happy Hump Day~


:> )

C'mon Autumn, We're Ready For You!

The wood stove is finally in place. Yippee!!
Now all we need is some cool weather so we can fire this baby up.



I'd still like to make a brick hearth. Maybe next year.



It is so difficult to figure out furniture placement. Doorways and windows in a tiny room. Ack! I'd love to put the plaid settee in front of the wood stove. But the room is too tiny. Dang it.

We've kicked around the idea of removing the wall where Adams and Madison are. Opening it up into the dining/American flag wall room. But I think that would open up a big ol' can of worms. Not sure that's a job I want to tackle. I'm getting too old for this sh*t stuff. But it would be nice. Hmmm... Maybe I'm not that old just yet.



I had to re spray paint the wall mount to match my newly spray painted stove pipe. It was a little tricky.



Have I mentioned my love for blue painters tape?? ((giggle))

Hubs and I are both pleased with it now in the corner. It gives a little more room in here. Which really means gives me more space to decorate. But you didn't hear that from me. Shhhh...

Happy Monday, all!!!
Enjoy your week!

:> )